Analysis of public records of lobbying practices of the ultra-processed sugary food and drink industries in Chile: a qualitative study

Summary Background Given the role of commercial determinants on sugar consumption and health, this study aimed to describe lobbying practices of the ultra-processed sugary food and drinks industries in Chile between 2014 and 2022. Methods Official meetings between ultra-processed sugary food and drinks industries and related commercial actors and Chilean government officials were obtained from the Chilean Lobby Registry. Relevant commercial names were initially identified based on their market share and expanded iteratively based on information from relevant meetings. Qualitative analysis followed a deductive-inductive approach using the Corporate Political Activity Model to identify and classify objectives, framing and action strategies. Findings From 237 records identified, the Ministries of Health, Social Development, and Economy were the most frequently lobbied. Industry representatives sought to achieve their short- and long-term objectives by targeting a diverse range of authorities, including Ministers and Under-secretaries, using different strategies. Framing strategies focused on presenting sugary food and drinks industries as socially responsible and legitimate policy actors and criticised public health initiatives as ‘bad solutions’. Action strategies aimed to influence policymaking and nurture corporate reputations. Interpretation Extensive lobbying took place by the sugary food and drinks industries between 2014 and 2022, a period when major public health policies were being discussed in Chile. Lobbying strategies varied to meet industry objectives and targeted a diverse range of government institutions including high-ranking officials. Tighter regulations to stop inappropriate industry influence in public health policymaking are urgently required. Funding 10.13039/501100020884Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Chile)-PhD Scholarship. 10.13039/501100000765University College London–Open Access fees.


Supplementary Methods: Keywords used in Lobby Registry websites search
Major Food and drinks industry actors in Chile * English translation provided in brackets for original words used in Spanish.chocolate production process and the mix of ingredients.SOFOFA will send a document with information and a proposal on the topic.MINSAL will evaluate the proposal and will give an answer Greetings to new authorities in the Ministry.Ask why is taking so long to include the private sector in the discussion of public policies."AB Chile and its associated industries are available for anything the Ministry needs".The industry has interest in supporting health public policies.Talk regarding food labelling.They have observed some signs that the food labelling has not been an effective public policy.The need for joint work between the public and private sectors to move towards common food labelling at the international level that, along with promoting informed eating, contributes to international integration and cooperation, and helps reduce barriers to free trade.
Carozzi To present the company (has 50% women workers).Gives land belonging to the company to build a rural health service (the land is already being assessed by the Ministry of Social Development).Mayor discusses aspects related to the land and access to main roads.The company mentions their work with the community, they want to install recycling points, their permanent support to a local neighbour and giving foods to communal cooking pots.The mayor is looking for companies to be more participative in the welfare of the communities of his municipality.Company asks for help in recycling projects and to share job offers through the municipality.
Carozzi MU281AW0968249 To ask for a meeting with the mayor to show their new plan of relationship with the community which include doing and art exposition in the area and talks about responsible alcohol consumption (programme: Educar en familia -education in family).Also, to show the progress of the projects being done in the municipality and to invite the mayor and its team to a guided visit to Temuco plant certified as "Zero residues".

CCU MU336AW0454704
CCU Declaration of healthy properties of a food and its interpretation.They want to comment deficiencies in the interpretation of healthy messages of their imported products.In their views some workers from the regional health authority (metropolitan region) are creating problems for their imports.The department informs roles and stages of the process and request to send their records to evaluate the issue To present themselves and resume public-private partnership.Nestle presented their "Youth initiatives" to improve employability.To invite the Nestle AL001AW1150967 the decree that regulates the mandatory healthy message in food advertising.Request of a public-private work group to define healthy with Minister of Health.How are portions measured.Concept of variability.Concept of single pack.Requests to know the views of the Ministry regarding homemade measures and portions.The department will analyse this with their technical team 2 disagreement regarding the tax introduced by the Internal Revenue Service to nectars and non-alcoholic beverages due to changes in the Sanitary Regulation for Food products.4AB Chile AO001AW1006555AB Chile (Association of Food and Drinks Industries of Chile) interest groups 1 Greetings to new authorities in the Ministry.Show them a study on food labelling policy by CADEM (private company) for Carozzi (a big national food industry) and another study by ABChile regarding the mandatory healthy message in advertising.
To get closer to the Municipality and their plans with the community near Carozzi plant.To plan activities to promote healthy lifestyles and identify Neighbourhood councils.The Municipality has already worked with Carozzi in specific activities such as sports events.Carozzi has two programmes.tovisit schools and to take them for guided tours to their plant.They also have activities focusing on pets.Proposal to improve food labelling and to show study about public opinion of the proposal.From the Ministry of Health: interest in listening to proposals to improve the law.Identified important methodological issues in study showed.The Department of Nutrition and Foods highlights the error in the phrase that "the law has not had good results when looking the numbers regarding obesity", the department clarify that the main objective of the law is not that one.Carozzi is referred to look at the Ministry of Health website to learn about the law 20,606.to public policies through providing more and better information to people to promote healthy habits.To present the work of the company in improving their foods (17 categories).
App development "Comamos informados" (Let's eat informed).Its objective is to provide more and better information to consumers.App is brandless, any company can join .The app gives recommendations tailored according to weight and height of individuals according to FAO and WHO recommendations.SERNAC reiterates the existence of a platform with similar purpose (Mi codigo verde -My green code) and the necessity for foods to have warning signs.SERNAC suggest Carozzi to talk to the Ministry of Health about their app.To present an app (Comamos Informados -let´s eat informed) developed by Carozzi that aims to provide clear and simple nutritional information and to contribute to an informed and conscious consumption of foods.
Minister to participate of their recycling campaign and the telethon task '27 hrs of love CCU 2017'.During the meeting the joint work between the Ministry and CCU regarding the recycling campaign for Telethon was discussed.CCU requested support from the Ministry to make the largest campaign to date.To present the current CCU CEO and to discuss topics of interest for their operations and the community considering the many years of the company in the Municipality and their two distribution centres.visit the Municipality and want to meet with the Mayor to present the new complementary community relations plan that includes art exhibitions and talks on responsible alcohol consumption in the programme "Educar en Familia -Educate in family".Also to update the mayor on the projects being implemented in the Municipality and to invite him to a guided tour of their plant.
New Complementary Community Relations Plan, which includes holding an Art exhibition in the area and talks on Responsible Alcohol Consumption of the Educar en Familia programme.Presentation of the progress of the projects that are being carried out in the area.Invitation to participate in a guided tour of the Temuco Plant certified as Zero Waste.Social projects by Coca Cola such as 'common pots' in Bajos de Mena and Valparaiso that reactivates small business, restaurants food chains and other actors.Discuss how the industry would be affected if the idea of taxing unhealthy foods to raise revenue to manage COVID is implemented.The Secretary explains how Elige Vivir Sano works and its role in coordinating with Health and other Ministries.Also mentioned that is difficult to add more topics to what they are already doing, that they are trying to bring to this Ministry other similar projects from other Ministries and their views on the national context regarding possible taxes.Kinder and Tic Tac and inform about a 5th plant which is the results of investing 50 million dollars.Ferrero is looking for a positive relationship with the government.They highlighted how important is to have a nutrition education policy which they have already developed together with the Ministry of education of Italy.They mentioned the 'Joy of moving' programme which is already being implemented in 28 countries and they offer to share it later.The institution thanks Ferrero for the meeting and says that they share their community responsibility views and that they are seen as a good example to create productive chains.Also highlights the autonomy of the local health authority.They are worried about the healthy message in advertising.The Ministry explains that will be mandatory once the decree is approved.Youth Initiative" in the III Pacific Alliance Youth Meeting, Healthy Children Presentation, Nestlé Chile's "Youth Initiative" aims to strengthen youth employability, linking the world of education with work.It is a global initiative present in more than 190 countries where Nestlé has operations.Thus, the company prepares the next generation of talents, contributing as a bridge between the world of education and job placement.The Ministry of Education, through Minister Gerardo Varela, has been once again invited to participate in the III Youth Meeting of the Pacific Alliance to be held in Cali, Colombia, on June 28 and 29.To discuss the prohibitions regarding food labelling.Nestle mentions that they use their cartoons in packages in many countries.Potential stock break.Unclear regulation guidelines.Proposal to modify the decree that regulates the mandatory healthy message in food advertising.Request of a public-private work group to define healthy messages.To explain their "Healthy Children" program.Nestle requested to work together.Commitment to support the program and request sponsorship.To make the Youth Pacific Alliance meeting if the current conditions allow it.The meeting had to be cancelled because of the pandemic and they are willing to set a new date.The Secretary says the calendar is being revised because of the pandemic